Homeless coming up again Tuesday

Posted
Friday, September 1, 2017 12:05 am

By Michael Hinman

After the raucous meeting in July over a proposed homeless shelter in Kingsbridge, Community Board 8’s land use committee is set to meet again Sept. 5. And near the top of its agenda? Once again, 5731 Broadway.

The 83-unit location is the proposed site of a transitional homeless facility for families — a move that has been vehemently opposed by CB8.

Tuesday’s meeting will provide an update, according to an agenda submitted by land use chair Charles Moerdler, as well as talk about 5731 Broadway developer Stagg Group’s new application to receive tax abatements on the property.

Also on the agenda is a renewal application for an enclosed sidewalk café at Dale Diner, 189 W. 231st St., as well as a presentation of a capital project from Wave Hill.

The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m., on Sept. 5, at the American Legion Post 774, located at 3035-37 Corlear Ave.

Diaz, de Blasio trade endorsements

If politics were a back-scratching affair, then both New York’s mayor and Bronx’s borough president would feel quite satisfied.

Bill de Blasio and Ruben Diaz Jr., exchanged endorsements for each other for their respective offices last week, saying they both share a commitment to protecting immigrant communities and improving public safety and education across the borough.

“In the age of President Trump, the Bronx and all of New York needs a strong fighter for our most vulnerable communities,” Diaz said in a release. “Bill de Blasio’s commitment to enacting a progressive agenda on issues such as affordable housing, providing access to counsel for housing court tenants, protecting our at-risk immigrant communities, and creating a model for universal pre-k has set the example for cities across the nation on how to move forward on important issues in the face of a hostile federal government.”

de Blasio shared similar sentiments of the incumbent borough president.

“Ruben is an incredible advocate for his community, and a strong ally in the fight to promote progressive values,” he said. “Together, we’ve made tremendous progress strengthening the Bronx and improving the lives of the people that live across this great borough.”

Although Diaz has at least one filed challenger — Camella Price — she has not been able to match his fundraising at all. Diaz has raised $1.3 million for his campaign, compared to just under $6,000 for Price, according to the city’s campaign finance board. Diaz already has spent more than $755,000, with just under $800,000 still in the bank.

de Blasio also has a number of challengers, but few have come even close to the $4.8 million he’s raised for re-election so far. Former New York Police Department detective Bo Dietl has raised just under $1 million, including a $100,000 campaign loan, while Rocky De La Fuente has pulled in about $414,000 — almost all of it campaign loans.

Have a look up the narrow pathway connecting Arlington Avenue and Kappock Street in Spuyten Duyvil and one might see a steep trail of hideous, uneven pavement snaking between warped side rails bent out of shape. It’s like something out of a Gothic fairy tale.